“You’re messy,” he said, ridiculously pleased by the discovery.
“I’m not,” she objected, and then looked around the room. “Well, yes, all right. I am.”
“I like messy,” he said, tugging her a little closer.
She scoffed at that. “No, you don’t. You nearly had a conniption in that restaurant when they cleared the plates and didn’t take the napkins.”
“I did not,” he retorted, stung by the accusation.
Ranleigh watched her expression, the incredulous lift of one eyebrow. “You folded them, like ten times while you waited for them to come back.”
That was true. He waved a hand, dismissing this as irrelevant. “Pffft.”
She was grinning at him. “Don’t sulk.”
“I’m not sulking,” he said, pretending to sulk.
“Stop sulking and kiss me.”
“I can do that.”
He picked up where he’d left off, revelling in the feel of her. Her body was slender and far finer than his own, and he forced himself not to rush, to snatch at buttons and tug the clothes from her, though it was a sore temptation. Then he realised, with a dawning smile, that he didn’t have to wrestle with feminine buttons and hooks and ties. It was all familiar. He tugged the coat from her shoulders, and it was discarded with ease… too much ease, as it was a little on the big side. Ranleigh made a mental note to take her to his tailor. It was about time she had some decent things made for her. The poor fellow would probably have an apoplexy, but he’d just have to get over it. Her waistcoat followed, and it was a dull brown affair which didn’t suit her character at all.
“I’m going to buy you something frivolous and gaudy,” he promised, scowling a little at the unremitting muddy colour. “Green and gold stripes?” he asked as the waistcoat tumbled to the floor.
Archie pulled a face.
“I’ve been trying to go unnoticed.” She blushed a little when Ranleigh snorted. “I never said successfully.” “Well, that is at an end,” he said, and then stilled as he saw the tension in her, and the sudden flash of something in her eyes.
“What?” he asked, wondering what he’d said. “What is it?”
She smiled at him, a little too quickly, shaking her head. Whatever it was he’d seen vanished as if it had never been.
“Violet?” she suggested, grinning. “I ought to have one to rival Bagshot’s, I think.”
Ranleigh remembered his repulsive cousin and blanched. “Over my dead body.”
“And fobs,” she added with a twinkle in her eyes. “Lots and lots of fobs.”
“Shut up,” he muttered and tugged her shirt from her breeches.
“No,” she said, moving back, a wicked look in her eyes that made his skin heat. “I’m not prancing about in my birthday suit while you’re all….” She waved a hand at his person. “Dukish.”
“Dukish?” he repeated, laughing. “Is that even a word?”
“It is now.” Archie folded her arms and then jerked her chin in his direction. “You’re wearing too many clothes. Get them off.”
Ranleigh paused. “Is that an order?” he asked, raising one eyebrow.
She studied him for a moment, considering. “Do you want it to be?” she asked, a little cautious.
An unexpected rush of heat surged through him and his lips quirked. “Maybe.”
“Then get them off,” she said again, a little firmer now though her eyes were alight with laughter. “Now.”
Ranleigh did as he was instructed, enjoying the look in her eyes and the flush at her cheeks which deepened with each item he discarded. She helped him with the boots, and Ranleigh watched her kneeling on the floor in front of him with his pulse thundering in his ears. That was an image he wanted to revisit sometime soon.
He stood and pulled his shirt over his head and deliberately dropped it to the floor, though she knew as well as he did that his instinct was to fold it neatly. She smiled, still blushing furiously, and then he undid the fall of his trousers and the buttons on his smallclothes and, hooking his thumbs under both, swept them to the floor in one fluid movement.
Her unsteady gasp chased any lingering sense of self-consciousness from his mind and he smiled with delight.
“You’re preening,” she said, still scarlet but laughing too as she stared at him.
“Yes,” he said, quite unabashed. “Yes, I am.”
“My word, what a peacock,” she teased him and then covered her mouth with her hand as she realised what she’d said.
He took a moment to look down at himself, already half hard with anticipation. There was little doubt he was as any male of the species, and a tad defensive of his own prowess. He raised his eyes back to Archie.
“Pea and cock are not words that ought to be used in the same sentence when describing me, do you not agree?”
Archie bit her lip and he hardened further under the fascinated look in her eyes.
“Perhaps not,” she allowed, breathless, a smile curving her mouth though she blushed still. “You are as proud as one, though, shaking out his tail feathers.”
Ranleigh gave a bark of laughter. “Then come closer and take a look at my magnificent plumage.” He moved towards her and swept her up in her arms as she squealed, and then dropped her on the bed. “Hmm, still too many clothes.”
He tugged her boots off and threw them to the floor, swiftly adding her breeches and small clothes to the pile. Archie giggled and squirmed as he disrobed her and he wondered when he had ever smiled this much, laughed this much when taking a woman to bed, and knew he never had. His heart had never been so full as in this moment.
Disappointingly, her shirt came almost to her knees and still covered everything interesting and he gave a huff of frustration, glaring at it. Obligingly, Archie got to her knees and after a moment’s hesitation, tugged the shirt over her head… and all the breath left his body.
“My God, Archie,” he said, his voice heavy with combined reverence and undisguised lust. “You are just… perfect.”
She shook her head, covering her breasts with her arms and looking a touch awkward. “Not very… very womanly,” she said, almost apologetic, to his growing consternation.
“What on earth….” he began, and then gave up. “Let me judge for myself.”
Archie swallowed, staring at him, and then let her hands drop to her sides. Ranleigh thought his heart might just beat its way out of his chest at the sight of her and had to fight to keep his breathing even. He reached out a hand and traced the shallow curve of her breast with a fingertip. They were small and pert, the tight little buds of her nipples a dark pink.
Ranleigh swallowed, and when he spoke his voice was ragged. “I’ve never seen anything half so lovely as you in my life.” He raised his eyes to look at her. “Can’t you see what you do to me? I’m so desperate to touch you. I feel like I’ll run mad if I don’t.”
Her smile was tentative, but the doubt left her eyes. “Then touch me,” she said softly. She moved closer, sliding her hands over his chest and resting her head against him as she wrapped her arms around his back. For a moment they just held each other and then she looked up. Ranleigh bent his head, kissing her tenderly at first, but with growing urgency, until he pushed her back onto the bed, following her down.
The sensation of her beneath him, her warm skin against his, was everything he’d been longing for. She moved, one leg sliding up his side to hook over his thigh, and the way he fit into the cradle of her body stole what little remained of his wits. He rocked against her, pressing his aching erection against the heat of her sex. They both caught their breath and Archie gasped, clutching at his shoulders.
“Tell me,” he said, feeling his chest was too full of emotion. “Tell me what you want. I want to please you.”
She gave a startled little laugh, staring up at him. “I don’t know,” she said, sounding breathless. “This. You… all of it.”
“Does this feel good?” he asked, moving against her again, aware of th
e growing heat, the increasing slide of her skin as her arousal deepened. His breath caught as she arched beneath him, closing her eyes, her head tilting backwards.
“Yes, yes,” she murmured.
He smiled, kissing the slender line of her exposed throat, across her collar bone, every inch of skin he could reach, and then sighed as he found the sweet little furled bud that had made his mouth water with the desire to taste her. He teased first one nipple, then the next, circling them with his tongue and smiling still as he felt the shiver run over her. Her hands were in his hair, holding him in place, and he was more than happy to oblige as her breathing deepened, growing erratic.
Ranleigh closed his eyes, concentrating on her pleasure as he slid against her intimate skin. It would be so easy to let go and take his pleasure too, but he was aching to be inside her and so he held back, waiting until she found her own peak. Watching her was an ecstasy all of its own, hearing her breathless sighs, shivering as her hands explored him and clung to him. Pleasure and pride filled his heart as she gasped, her body growing taut as she held tighter. His name was on her lips and he held her to him, overwhelmed by the closeness, the intimacy of the moment.
“I love you,” he said, watching as she took her pleasure and thinking he’d never seen anything so beautiful, had never experienced anything so perfect.
Her eyes flickered open, hazy as they focused on him at last. A lazy smile touched her mouth and she sighed. “I love you too,” she murmured.
Oh.
The words surged through him with triumph and equal relief. He’d hoped and he’d wanted, he’d believed in these last moments, but to hear her say it aloud….
Thank God.
He kissed her again, urgent now as his own body was clamouring for release.
“Yes,” Archie murmured against his neck, nuzzling into him, her breath warm against his skin. “Yes.”
She tilted her hips, changing the angle to accommodate him, and Ranleigh held his breath, fighting for calm as he slid inside her, into the warmth of her.
“Oh, God,” he said, the exclamation a breath of wonder as she welcomed him in. She was tight and hot and every sensation of bliss. With each incremental slide forward the pleasure engulfed him, threatened to overwhelm him and send him glittering to the peak before he was ready.
Ranleigh gasped when at last he was sheathed inside her, and looked down. Archie stared back at him, her eyes bright and as full of emotion as he felt. He was raw, exposed, utterly vulnerable, and the love in her eyes steadied him.
She reached out and touched his face. “I’m so happy,” she whispered.
He couldn’t answer, overwhelmed by the force of it, of desire and emotion, and could do nothing but gaze at her as their bodies moved. She watched him, holding him tight to her, arms and legs clinging, every touch illustrating her need for him. It was exquisite, even more so as she closed her eyes in surrender, soft sounds of pleasure torn from her mouth. Ranleigh bent his head, capturing them with his own mouth, until the pleasure overtook him too and he could only cling to her as he gasped and shuddered, tumbling into bliss. She held him and said his name as if it was the only thing that mattered.
Ranleigh wasn’t sure how long he lay there, dazed, sated, and rather stunned. This was it, what he had sought for so long, what he had believed impossible and long lost to him. It was here, with Archie, and it was so much more than he’d ever imagined.
He came back to senses and realised at once he must be crushing her.
“Lord, I’m sorry,” he said, bracing himself on his arms so he could move away. “Have I squashed the life from you?”
Archie chuckled, a sound that he could do nothing but smile at, ridiculously pleased by it.
“I like it,” she said, a little shy, running a hand up the back of his neck and sliding her fingers into his hair. “I like the weight of you. It feels good.”
Rather delighted by this information, he remained where he was and bent to kiss her nose. “Is it possible to experience an excess of happiness, do you think? Is there a limit to what the human heart can contain? I do hope not, as I think mine might be about to give out.”
“Fool,” she said, the word so soft and her eyes sparkling with tenderness.
“For you,” he agreed. “Your fool. Your anything. I’m yours to command, you do know that?”
She traced the line of his jaw, stroking his cheek, then smoothing her thumb over his eyebrow. “I would never command you.” He snorted at that and she grinned. “Well, now and then perhaps, but only if you don’t take your clothes off fast enough.”
He shrugged, wondering if he would ever stop smiling. He hoped not. “I’m more than content with this arrangement.” She gave a little huff of laughter and he gazed down at her. “Tell me,” he said, needing to hear the words, to be certain he hadn’t dreamt it, longed for it so much he’d heard what he wanted to. “Say it again. Tell me you’re mine.”
He felt the faintest shiver of alarm as she avoided his gaze, but then she looked up and touched her fingers to his mouth, smiling. “I love you,” she whispered. “I’ll love you forever.”
Ranleigh sighed and kissed her again.
Chapter 16
“Wherein can’t or won’t amount to the same thing.”
Archie stared up at the ceiling. Ranleigh… no, Guy, was asleep, his breathing deep and even. She was overwhelmed, in a way she’d never expected, never thought possible.
When Selina had left Will, Archie had been there. She’d seen Will’s face when the butler had handed him Selina’s note telling him she’d gone. Everything had been visible in his eyes, the heartbreak and regret, the vulnerability. Archie had done everything she could to bring about a reconciliation, to mend that look, because it had made her own heart hurt to look upon such sorrow. When Will had asked her why, why she had betrayed Selina’s confidence to help him win her back, she’d said because she hoped someone would look like that for her, if she were to leave.
She regretted that now.
Ranleigh, as ever, had been an open book. He wore his heart on his sleeve and it was there for her, she could see it shining in his eyes. She’d felt it in every touch, heard it in the tenderness of his words, and knowing that she would hurt him so when she left was tearing her heart to shreds. It had been so far from what she’d expected. Like anyone, she’d always hoped to be loved, longed to belong to someone who cared for her. Yet the adoration in his eyes had been so much more. His willingness to face everything the ton would throw at them for daring to be different was breath-taking and humbling, and she felt far from worthy of it.
Not yet, she assured herself. She could stay for a while longer. He was still virile and young enough to sire an heir, and would be for some time. Surely, he’d not be forced to marry for a while yet? The knowledge that he wouldn’t understand her refusal to marry him was hard enough, though. It would hurt him. He would think she wasn’t brave enough to face the scandal with him, when that was far from the truth. She’d rather he didn’t have to face it at all yet, if he was willing to stand at her side, she would have been there, swelling with pride… but the past simply wouldn’t let her go.
Life without Ranleigh would be unbearable, but it would be life, something she might lose altogether if her past caught up with her.
Archie closed her eyes for a moment. She’d not think of the future, not yet. He was here with her and, for now, that was enough. When she was gone and far away and had nothing but the thought of him to keep her warm, she would need her memories. Lots of them. So, she turned towards him, sliding her hand over his chest, still surprised by how hot he was—like sleeping beside an inferno. His body blazed compared to hers. Her hand slid down his side, finding his skin like silk beneath her hands until she moved over his abdomen and encountered the dark trail of hair that led lower. Archie followed it, feeling brazen and just a little daunted as she reached for him, sliding and caressing his most delicate flesh as he stirred in his sleep.
She looke
d up as his eyes flickered open, dark and sleepy in the dim light. He sighed as she continued to stroke him and saw a smile curve over his mouth.
“Waking up with you is my favourite thing,” he murmured as she gave a soft laugh, and pressed her mouth to his.
***
Ranleigh hummed as he tried to make the best of his wrinkled cravat. His valet would likely not speak to him for a week when he got home, though his cravat was the least of the problem. His coat had been left in a crumpled heap on the floor, and his waistcoat had fared little better. Everything was creased. He grinned at his reflection, thinking he looked better than he had in months, years even. His clothes might be wrecked, but happiness shone from him. His eyes were brighter—damn it, he looked younger, he was certain of it. With a snort of amusement at his own vanity, he hurried to pull on his boots.
To his dismay, Archie had gone when he’d woken the second time, but he hoped a leisurely breakfast was in order and a discussion about when, exactly, they would marry. He’d already made up his mind to get a special license so they could do it with all haste and in the privacy of his home, but he was aware Archie might not feel ready for such a step. He’d be patient if he had to, of course. Only… he really hoped he didn’t have to.
The idea of having her with him always, of going to bed with her beside him and waking to find her still there, filled him with a giddy kind of joy that made him walk around with an idiotic smile on his face.
Ranleigh rushed downstairs and found Archie at breakfast, or at least holding a coffee cup. She sat at the breakfast table, the cup cradled between her hands as she stared out at the back garden. To his dismay, she did not seem to have woken with the dizzying sense of joy that he was feeling.
“What is it?”
Archie jumped at the sound of his voice and then she smiled, looking so damned pleased to see him that he wondered if he’d imagined it, but he hadn’t.
“Good morning,” she said, putting down her cup.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, an unsettled feeling pushing at his chest. Did she regret last night? Had he been a bastard to take her to bed before they married? Only she’d been so insistent and damn, he had not wanted to resist, either.
Duke and Duplicity (Rogues and Gentlemen Book 15) Page 17